London to San José (Alajuela) (LGW–SJO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Last scheduled nonstop: Apr 2026.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
LGW–SJO had nonstop service from British Airways, last on the schedule in April 2026. There's no nonstop on it right now, so today you'd fly it with one stop. The connecting options below are sorted by layover. Nonstop, it's about 5,424 miles in 11h 40m.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA British Airways | 0 | – | – | – | Oneworld | – |
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach San José (Alajuela) from London
| Metric | LGW→SJO | LTN→SJO |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from LGW | – | 51 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | – | 2 |
| Weekly flights | – | – |
| Flight time | 11h 40m | 10h 30m |
Travel Essentials
LGW: BST · SJO: CST
When it's 6:00 PM in London, it's 11:00 AM in San José (Alajuela).
British passport holders enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 180 days. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least one blank page.
You need proof of onward travel (a return flight or bus ticket out of Costa Rica). Immigration may ask for evidence of sufficient funds ($100 per month of intended stay). Complete the Digital Health Pass (salud.go.cr) before arrival. Extensions beyond 180 days are not available; you must leave the country and re-enter. The standard border run to Panama or Nicaragua resets the clock.
No direct flights from the UK to Costa Rica exist. Common one-stop routings connect via Madrid (Iberia), Miami, or Houston, with total journey times of 13 to 16 hours. Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican colon (CRC), trading at roughly 510 CRC per $1. US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. No vaccination requirements for UK arrivals, but hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are recommended. Costa Rica charges a $29 departure tax, included in the airfare since 2015.
The Gatwick Express runs non-stop from London Victoria to the South Terminal in 30 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes (from £21.50 one-way; advance fares cheaper online). Thameslink trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Farringdon are slower (35–45 min) but significantly cheaper; often £10–13 on Oyster or contactless. Southern trains also serve the route.National coaches (National Express, Megabus) connect Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station for £6–15. Taxis from central London cost £70–100+ depending on traffic. Driving via M23 and A23 takes 35–60 minutes; multi-storey car parks are directly connected to both terminals by a 2-minute monorail shuttle.
LGW–SJO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from LGW to SJO
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) had nonstop service from British Airways, last on the schedule in April 2026. The nonstop is dormant right now, so the way to fly it today is one connection, and the options above are sorted by layover.
LGW to SJO Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from LGW to SJO is about 11 hours 40 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 5,424 miles (8,728 km).
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt Main and Zürich. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Luton, Luton (LTN).